The new moderator for Mennonite Church USA, Ed Diller of Fort Thomas, Ky., was commissioned in his home congregation, Cincinnati (Ohio) Mennonite Fellowship, on Aug. 23.
The congregation’s pastor, Joel Miller, noted that all members are called by God to service in the reconciling work of Christ and included Diller’s wife, Karen, in the commissioning. “Today we bless Ed and Karen Diller for giving their time and gifts to Mennonite Church USA,” he said.
On behalf of the congregation, council chair Linda Headings presented a quilted wall hanging to the Dillers. “Your gift of listening without judgment, of recognizing our strengths and bringing people together despite their differences will serve you well as moderator,” she told the new moderator. She noted Ed’s servant heart and Karen’s compassionate service on behalf of others.
“Our prayer is that you will help lead our wider church to become the body Christ calls us to be,” Headings said.
Ron Byler, acting executive director of Mennonite Church USA, represented the denomination at the commissioning.
“May your desire to follow in the way of Jesus Christ help all 900-plus congregations in Mennonite Church USA grow as communities of grace, joy and peace,” Byler said to Diller.
Byler also thanked the congregation for extending their witness in the Cincinnati community and for their commitment, as individuals and as a congregation, to the broader church.
The opinions expressed in articles posted on Mosaic’s website are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference. Mosaic is a large conference, crossing ethnicities, geographies, generations, theologies, and politics. Each person can only speak for themselves; no one can represent “the conference.” May God give us the grace to hear what the Spirit is speaking to us through people with whom we disagree and the humility and courage to love one another even when those disagreements can’t be bridged.